A master-planned, energy-efficient,
people-friendly community in the heart of Myrtle Beach

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Withers Preserve is a renaissance in process. Neo-traditional homes nestled among acres of green space and ribbons of water are transforming a fabulous location into a comfortable community with people at the forefront.

Brenda Pedersen is originally from Durham, N.C. Her husband, John, is a Delaware native. When he became the assistant city manager in North Myrtle Beach, the couple moved to the Grand Strand area. Soon, they’ll be living in Withers Preserve.

“The community is really more like a traditional neighborhood,” Mrs. Pedersen explains, adding, “and The Market Common area is just beautiful.” She walks about five miles a day and looks forward to walking to and from the bookstore, grocery store and around the parks. It’s extremely appealing that conveniences (and indulgences) can be found about one-half mile from their new home. She compares it to a traditional Old Charleston setting and that’s a familiar feeling, since she grew up in a small town where children walked to the movies and other entertainment.

It’s also visually attractive and energy efficient, two strong motivators for the family. The sidewalks and street lights provide pedestrian-friendly paths as they wind around the playground, to the fitness center, and throughout the neighborhood.

“I appreciate the combination of electric and gas,” she says. The Pedersens also approve of the sound insulation which keeps the master suite quiet and restful. Withers Preserve is participating in GE’s ecoimagination program to save on cooling and heating systems, and it’s important to the Pedersens to be in an energy smart neighborhood.

They’ve been working on building plans which include two stories, lots of porches and a garage apartment in the back. One daughter lives at home and attends nearby Coastal Carolina University (well-known for its lifelong learning programs). The other is moving to Raleigh to take a new job, so she’ll be close enough for frequent weekends at the coast.

The Pedersens plan lots of long walks on the beach at the adjacent state park. Maggie, the Bassett Hound, and Ralph, the Bug (combination Pug and Boston terrier) hope to figure in those beach and neighborhood walks. “I won’t even have to get in a car if I don’t want to drive,” Mrs. Pedersen says.

Ray and Adelle Robert still live in Maryland, near Washington, where he’s been in real estate for 30 years. They’ve already started to build a life in the Myrtle Beach area.

“We’ll build a single family home in The Estates section of Withers Preserve,” he explains. The couple lives in a similar, traditional community in Maryland.

 They want to keep that concept at the forefront of their lives when they move closer to their son and daughter and their families, who already live in Myrtle Beach and work together in Trebor Industries and Bam Enterprises.

They’re looking forward to walking to shopping and dining, but of equal importance is the green concept home. They’ll be building with state-of-the-art materials and energy management systems to provide a healthy living environment.

“The best thing we can do is to control our interior building atmosphere,” Mr. Robert says, adding, “We live in an allergenic society and it’s important to do everything we can to safeguard our surroundings.” They plan to move within a year or so, but Mr. Robert is already working as broker in charge for Sun Ray Preferred Properties in Myrtle Beach, and he is assisting other Maryland families seeking to move to the Carolinas.

They go back and forth about every six to eight weeks, visiting their children and grandchildren, Alyssa, Olivia and Sophia. Their daughter calls almost every day to give a weather update. “When it’s really cold here in Maryland, she calls to tell me that in Myrtle Beach, it’s 76 degrees outside and she is sitting on their deck,” he laughs. “It keeps us focused on the move.”

People-friendly Design

“The cornerstone of Withers Preserve is that every aspect works incredibly well for pedestrians,” said Scott Parker, RLA, ASLA and Partner in DesignWorks, the master planners of the new 900+-acre community on the site of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

Withers Preserve features Neo-traditional homes, beautiful green space, walking trails, canals and lakes, adjacent to the aforementioned The Market Common, a 100-acre mix of upscale retail businesses such as Coldwater Creek and Chico’s, as well as charming hotels, theatres, and restaurants with creative cuisine.

Within the neighborhoods, it’s all about a people-friendly environment. “Our vision is based on two major components,” Mr. Parker explains. “High-quality infrastructure and high-quality public realm (including streets, parks and other public areas) provides the backdrop to the lifestyle people want.”

The plan includes a beautifully functional series of linked canals and ponds, to collect, retain, recharge and filter water through wetland vegetation, feeding into a 40-acre lake. The result of this state-of-the-art rainfall management is an amenity for the community that is functional, appealing, and environmentally friendly. “Parks are clearly identifiable as public spaces for everyone to gather and enjoy,” he says.

The water system is encompassed within the larger Myrtle Beach Grand Park, totaling 400 acres. Every home within Withers Preserve will be no more than a pleasant, five-minute walk from the park.

Fifteen hundred live oak trees line the 4.2 mile Farrow Parkway, the major artery through the property. “There are walkways on both sides and a bikeway along one side, and it is simply a fabulous street,” Mr. Parker says, adding, “I am so confidant that this community is going to have a tremendous, positive impact on the people who live and work here – it’s going to be envied, analyzed and copied for decades.”

The homes will follow the Neo-traditional, or New Urban style, with porches, facades fronting the street, and garages served by alleys. “I am a firm believer that when you create the best physical environment, you create the lifestyle which appeals to most of us, once we experience it,” he says, noting that the architecture (which Mrs. Pedersen finds so appealing) takes its inspiration from traditional Lowcountry design, which evolved in the South to take advantage of a pleasant climate that invites outdoor enjoyment.

Withers Preserve is part of a celebrated master-planned community that is coming together under the auspices of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority. This spectacular 3,970-acre parcel of land will become the new heart of the Grand Strand, an area named one of the “Top 100 Best Retirement Towns in America” by Where to Retire magazine. Forbes Magazine ranks the Myrtle Beach area the 29th best location for business and careers (among 200 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas.) The Grand Strand covers the coast of South Carolina from the NC border, through Myrtle Beach and south to Georgetown.

More than 100 golf courses vie for the attention of golfing enthusiasts, and a number of theatres provide live family entertainment and host touring Broadway-caliber shows. Restaurants serve the freshest local seafood, unless you prefer to catch your supper, or buy it from shrimp boats moored on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Very near to Withers Preserve is Myrtle Beach State Park, a 312-acre oceanfront park that preserves the natural heritage of the area, even as it invites visitors to swim in the mild Atlantic waters, fish from the pier, or sunbathe on nearly a mile of sandy, wide beaches. (A nature trail provides the opportunity to enjoy one of the last stands of maritime forests in the region.)

Withers Preserve is the beneficiary of $30 million worth of new infrastructure, including 40 acres of lakes, almost eight acres of wetlands, new community parks found in more than 120 acres of open green space, and four miles of new roads.

Rob O’Neel., CEO of RWO Acquisitions which is the leading developer at Withers Preserve, says that because it is a true, people-centered, community-driven neighborhood, it will flourish, not just for years, but for generations.

Balmoral is the first neighborhood to open. Sixty single-family homes are planned for the first phase, all with three-four bedrooms, first-floor master bedroom, and open floor plans (perfect for entertaining and staying in touch with family and friends). Construction details include ceramic tile, hardwood floors, large closets, spacious designer kitchens, and those large porches so integral to both Lowcountry architecture and New Urbanism design. (Many of those porches will be used to enjoy the beautiful views of wetlands and surrounding lakes.)

Other neighborhoods include The Estates, Livingston Townhomes, and The Village, a collection of town homes and condominiums beside The Market Common.

Directions: Located in the center of Myrtle Beach, just off of Highway 17 Bypass, between Routes 501 and 544. Withers Preserve is also accessible from Highway 17 Business.

Developer: RWO Acquisitions, LLC, 715 5th Ave., 45th Flr., New York City, NY 10019
Number of Acres: more than 3,790 – total / 810+ under development by RWO
Neighborhoods: Balmoral and The Estates (Single family), Livingston Townhomes,
          The Village townhomes and condominiums.
Number of Residences Planned: approximately 1,900
Number of Golf Courses: 100+ near the community
Swimming Pools: Yes
Walking Trails: more than 29 acres of lakes and 40+ acres of lush green space and
          parks including miles of walking trails
New Home Prices: First neighborhoods –
          Single Family Homes starting in the $500s
          Estate homesites pre-selling from the $200s
          Condominiums from the $200s
Sales Contact and Telephone Number: Withers Preserve Sales Center, 843.495.8696.
          Toll Free: 866.392.9495

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